Gore Vidal: his finest TV appearances

"Never miss a chance to have sex or appear on television," Vidal said. He didn't.

Gore Vidal poses for a photo in his Los Angeles home in 2006. Photograph: Getty Images.

Like most of you, I woke to the sad news that Gore Vidal has died at the age of 86. The New Statesman was fortunate enough to publish one of his final British interviews, conducted by Melvyn Bragg as part of his guest editorship of the magazine.

Among Vidal's bon mots was his advice to "never miss a chance to have sex or appear on television". With that in mind, here's footage of some of his most notable TV appearances, including his famous duel with William F. Buckley Jr at the 1968 Democratic convention.